Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Many Java developers ask me How to become a better programmer, how do I improve my programming skills, or I am good at Java but not so good on problem-solving skill etc. This is a reality, today's era is full of language expert than real programmers. It's easy to understand keywords, methods and API of Java programming language, but same time it's difficult to solve real problems, design reusable and robust software and get the maximum of data structure and algorithm. I have often seen Java programmers are not doing so well when asked to design and code a solution in limited time, but same time they are really good with Java concepts and all theory. Even senior programmers of 4 to 6 years experience in Java programming, sometimes fail to solve questions like designing
Even senior programmers of 4 to 6 years experience in Java programming, sometimes fail to solve questions like designing coffee-maker,coding Vending Machine or sometimes even recursively reversing a linked list. I may be just moving off from becoming a better programmer, but it's important to know your limitation and then work out to resolve those.

If you feel resistance in coding, then you should code as much as possible, if you feel stressed and lost in designing using Object oriented analysis and design, then you should do designing using pen and paper as much as possible. This resistance is what actually preventing you from being a better programmer.

I have personally found that coding and designing presents lot of resistance to an average programmer, because in most of them in their professional job don't do enough coding and development. By the way, there could be numerous tips to become a better programmer, I will stick with my list, which I personally follow and which has continuously helped me.

10 Tips to Improve Programming Skill and Become Better Programmer

In order to become a better programmer, you need to be really good at the data structure, algorithms, designing using OOPS, multi-threading and various programming concept e.g. recursion, divide and conquer, prototyping, and unit testing. Programming is a combination of many skills, which means it's not possible to learn it in quick time, rather it will come with time and experience, but that won't happen automatically.

You can spend 5 years doing a Java programming job, without being a good programmer. Since most of Java, interviews focus on theory rather than programming and coding skills. Not many programmers practice these essential programming skills. If there is a mandatory problem-solving programming test, I would bet, the average programmer would have been much better. Anyway, here is my list of things, which can help you to become a good programmer.

1) Coding, Coding, and Coding
Why have I coding at the top of this list? because it's difficult and same time its central piece of programming. By doing coding, you also realize your mistakes in designing, error handling, threading and then go back to those respective skills to improve. You just can not work in designing only, coding produce output, which is important to learn and act as a success. By the way, do not stop just after solving the problem, it's always better to throw away your first solution, that is just a prototype, your next solution should address issues, missing requirements which you have found building a prototype.

2) Reading Books
Coding is easier said than done, and there is a huge difference between good code and bad code, but how do you know? Until you have seen a good code and know why a particular code is good, you can not understand the difference. This is where books come to help, more often than not authors are great programmers themselves. They offer their experience in the form of a book. I love books, but one book, which is particularly helped me is Clean Code by Uncle Bob.

By reading this book, I have found myself finding problems in my code and applying the advice given in this book every now and then. My advice is if you ever find such books, grab them. I also recommend reading this classic books many times and refer them every now and then.

Another similar book is Effective Java by Joshua Bloch, which is full of good advice. . Also, by reading books you are learning from someone else's experience, and there are only two ways to improve yourself, either by learning from own experience (which is very limited) or learning from others experience (which is unlimited).

Remember more is not always good, rather than reading 5 books, I suggest read two books, which you enjoyed reading multiple times. These two books are also from of my list of must read books for Java programmer

3) Contributing to Open Source, Signing-up mailing lists
Contributing on the Open source code, especially from Apache, Google, and some other projects is another way to improve your programming skill and become a better programmer. Just signing their mailing list and following discussion teaches you a lot. Since most of the discussions happen between good programmers, by listening to them and understanding problem and their approach, solution and view, automatically develop good programming habits on you. To get most of it, do not just sit passive, ask questions, offer your view, but same time value others as well.

4) Practicing data structure, Algorithms, and Design related problems
I was thinking to put that as the second item, but it ended up fourth. In my opinion, this is the most critical of things to do to become a better programmer. Most of the good programmers I have seen and met are really good in data structures, algorithms, and basics. By learning these things, you take better advantage of what is available. Since data structure is a key piece of any program, solid knowledge of them helps during problem-solving. Similarly knowledge of key programming principles, search and sort algorithms and other well know algorithms develop programming skills on you. You can refer these books to improve your knowledge of data structure and algorithms.

5) Reading Good Blogs
Reading good blogs is a small part of reading books. How does reading blogs help you to become a better programmer? Well, it does. Since blogs are often written by programmer themselves and most of them share their personal view, experience, you often find them relevant. Also, blogs are a small piece of information so it digests well. A blog also helps to learn new technology and new features of existing language and API. Many times, I have seen something subtle or missed things from a really well-known part of Java described in a small blog post.

6) Reading Code
If reading blogs help to become a good programmer, then reading code help more than that, but same time reading blog is easy but reading code is tough. Do you see resistance? then you should do it. Look code of open source projects, your fellow programmers code, your existing proprietary code, code from Java SDK and try to understand how they work, try to see what they are doing and why they are doing. Find patterns, develop navigation skill, initially you will find it boring and difficult, but with time you will develop a good code sense, which will alert you when you do a mistake, help you to spot others mistake, gaps, and code smell. This Code sense is one of the signs of the better programmer, they often tend to look, what you missed.

7) Writing Unit test
Unit test complement thinking and coding process, and subsequently help you to design better. Anything which is difficult to test has a chance of improvement. Also writing unit test helps a lot in finding better names, better abstraction, better interface and abstract class design and overall improves code quality. But like coding and designing, unit testing is also a tough job for average programmers, you will see a lot of resistance there. Some programmer writes trivial test, instead of thinking hard on usage scenario. Remember there is no substitute of think through the process, after analysis, design and development, unit testing is another opportunity to think through scenarios and gaps in your code. Make it a rule, always write a Unit test for your code.

8) Doing Code review
Like Unit testing, Code review is another thing which helps to become a good solid programmer. Code review helps both reviewer and author, reviewer improves his code sense and offers genuine advice while author learns from his mistakes. It often helps that the code you think is rock solid, has some bugs which only other programmer can see, Code review and four eye check does that for you. If you are lucky and get a chance to work in a company which has unit testing, code review as discipline then you are likely to be a better programmer than rest. These two things immensely help to improve programming skill.

9) Talking to fellow programmer
Reading is passive event compared to talking. Talking a program and discussing that with a fellow programmer, often leads to a better solution, it's natural because your mind tends to involve more when you talk and listen to other. I have then found gaps, missing requirements, bugs and design flaws while discussing with teammates. In the software industry, where programmers tend to isolate them with their computer, talking, sharing and doing whiteboard sessions helps immensely. Don't just sit and code, talk, listen and think and hang out with fellow programmers. participating in the event also helps.

10) Participating Stack Overflow and forums, Commenting in Blogs
This is another form of activity, which helps to revise knowledge. By sharing knowledge, the first person who benefits is the one who share. Since programming is big and vast, you tend to forget most of the things which you don't use for more than 3 months. Participating in StackOverflow and answering others queries, commenting on blogs and forums is a nice little way to revise knowledge and same time correct your misconception. By putting our knowledge in front of others, we not only helps others but also put them to the test. Many times you will see, someone benefiting from your knowledge but also you is getting your misconception corrected.

Every programmer wants to become a better programmer, but not everyone succeeds. Apart from the natural talent of programming and problem solving, it requires a lot of hard work, constant learning, and perseverance to become a better programmer. The more you do real work e.g. Coding, Designing, Unit Testing and Code review, the better you will become. If you just want to do one thing at this moment, I would say go and read clean code.

It is wonderful post , it motivates programers and coding enthusiasts, one point I like and coincide with my opinion is that " Most of good programmers I have seen and met are really good in data structures, ... " Thanks for sharing tow books Clean Code by Uncle Bob....

@Surbhi, Sure, I am writing an article with my list of good books on data structures and algorithms. Mean while you can check this list, which contains some timeless classic on coding, data structure and algorithm.

Nice Article..... Reading blogs is one of the best ideas.... I have been reading javarevisited blog for past few years and has helped me a lot in keeping be updated with nuances of Java and improving my programming skills though my actual life at work doesn't provide the opportunity to work on more technical stuff..

This is a bunch of bullshit!! When programming code first came out, we did not have OOP programming or should I say reusable objects. We coded for methods or functions, using C language, Pascal, Fortran, etc. Recently, C++ and Java which are both OOP and reusable code was the thing. Look, do you think a IT Manager is going to pay you to rewrite code that has already been written, NO!!! IT industry as already simplified this process too OOP, Databases for data structures, pre-build frameworks to ELIMINATE REDUNDANT CODE!!! Programmers should be using less code, because it is already done for them in these new technology, OOP, Databases, Frameworks,Design Patterns, etc. Got it! Get your head out of your asses and get real!!! Also, the algorithm questions asked at interviews is a bunch of crap too, because more than half of the time we don't need to use them!!! Also, the main reason ALOT of experience programmera v get the algorithm questions wrong is because we DON'T USE THEM, if you coded like this daily we would be get the questions correct. And if you were a programmer you would know this. Tell these people this, so you won't have to admit to these lies.

@Janice Garcia: First, one does not "program code". One programs computers using code—or rather—with notations that are progressively compiled by a compiler to binary, which are of a physical form, capable of directing the mechanical behavior of a computer towards the goal of making the machine do some useful work.

Second—"we" did not "code for" methods or functions. We coded procedures. But that is a matter of definition and semantics.

Third—"we" did not start with C, Pascal, Fortran, nor etc. "We" started with relays, vacuum tubes, wiring (cut to dimension) and progressed through various layers of how-to-control-the-machine up to and including C (and the others on your list—including "etc").

Fourth—that you believe C++ and Java to be OOP is a nifty clue. To what? You'll have to ask or discover on your own (hint: You think C++ and Java are Object Oriented Programming? You think that's air your breathing?).

Fifth—you have anger issues. Get help.

Finally—People build frameworks. People maintain them. Good or best practices and excellent tools help them. Old code must be maintained, improved, refactored (as needed), and there are a host of other matters beyond the scope of this response.

Honestly, I think you are just an angry and think-too-much-of-yourself person who needs to "shut the F up"—not that I have an anger problem like yourself. I am just responding in language and in a tone that you seem to understand best.

Hi Gavin the most important thing to me from your article is that you have mentioned the resistance to coding and designing. That is the most dangerous thing to a tech guy.very helpful post on all the topics

Nice blog, it gives me the path I need to walk throughout..However, read the comments make me feel MOTIVATED..!!.

And, one thing I learned these two years as beginner programmer is Team Work.- It is hard to say to someone that is wrong without hurt his/her feelings- It is hard to accept corrections from others without set aside our proud.

@Osmar, exactly, the skill you mentioning, saying things in right way, doing things in right way are great skill to have. They are difficult to build and often build at young age with parents, teachers and people around you. They go a long way to define career of any professional including programmers and software engineers.

If you seriously want to become a better programmer , you must improve your data structure and algorithm skill. You can read these books to learn Algorithms. You should be good at algorithm and data structure to write good code. Once you done, that you can look at these books to improve coding skill .

Nice Tips. I learned a lot from reading this list. Thank you for sharing.

One point I would like to add is pair programming with a more experienced developer, which gives you real time feedback, along with the added benefit of tapping into the experience, knowledge and skills of the experienced developer.

When you are coding, you have access to the suggestions and inputs made by the other developer.When you are off the keyboard, you have the opportunity to shadow the other developer, examine how they approach the problem, ask questions to pick at their brain, etc.